Liposuction In Austin, TX

Most liposuction techniques require suctioning the fat out by placing a cannula, or long hollow tube, into the treated area. The cannula attaches to a mechanical suction device that draws the fat out, leaving the body area slimmer and better contoured.

Traditional liposuction refers to manually breaking up the fat cells with a cannula. The surgeon pushes the cannula in a back-and-forth motion to dislodge the fat deposits, which they later remove with a suction-assisted cannula.

Instead of manually breaking apart the fat cells by hand, power-assisted liposuction (PAL) takes advantage of mechanical vibrations that assist in dislodging the fat. PAL tends to be faster and gentler than the traditional procedure, which can mean less time in the office and less discomfort during recovery.

Ultrasound liposuction devices such as VASER break down the fat cells with acoustic energy. The ultrasound emitted by the probe causes the fat cells to compress and expand rapidly until the cell membrane bursts, liquifying the fatty contents. A suction cannula then extracts the fat. While it can be gentler on the tissues and cause less bruising, one disadvantage is the device generates heat which can increase the risk of thermal injuries.

Tumescent liposuction is a technique that can remove a larger volume of fat. It involves injecting saline solution mixed with lidocaine into the area before dislodging the fat. This method tends to reduce blood loss, swelling, and bruising, allowing for a potentially safer and more comfortable recovery.